String Private Pedagogy Sessions

Private pedagogy sessions with a member of the Preparatory String Department faculty in packages of one, two, or three sessions.

Open to studio teachers, public school teachers, conductors, and pedagogy students. The registrant may request that time is spent in a variety of ways to support their teaching, including ideas on responding to specific technical, musical, or other teaching related issues, advice on teaching specific repertoire, repertoire suggestions for their students, or a lesson focusing on their own playing.

Placement will be coordinated by Rebecca Henry, Associate Chair for String Pedagogy, and exact session days and times (ET) will be arranged directly with the faculty member. Rolling admission, with sessions available October through April.

2024-25 Tuition: $130 per 60-minute session

Pedagogy Master Classes 2024-25

Rebecca Henry, Coordinator and Instructor (Violin/Viola)

Online via Zoom and In Person
Saturdays  3:00-5:30 pm ET
Downtown Peabody LH207

This series is open to studio teachers, public school teachers, conductors, and pedagogy students, and a different set of topics are explored each year.

Each session begins with a Master Class in which Peabody Preparatory students of a variety of levels perform unless a level for the class is specified. We will integrate work on the session topic into the music the student is performing to help integrate their technical and musical practice and understanding.

A Teacher Workshop on the day’s topic follows – Bring your instruments and your questions for an interactive session.

Registration will close Friday noon the day prior to class. The Zoom link will be emailed to registered participants after noon the day prior to class. A recording link will be sent to all participants within three days after the class and will be viewable for one month.

Class V1: Martele to Music with Rebecca Henry
October 12, 2024

A sequence of bow development founded on this basic stroke, with examples of why the martelé is the pre-requisite to all other bow strokes and to the development of a sophisticated bow arm. Beginning to advanced levels.

Class V2:  Left Hand Frame Development with Rebecca Henry
February 1, 2025

Building a frame in the first years, developing patterns up the string as well as awareness of the relationships of fingers across the strings, finger independence, facility and speed. Beginning to advanced levels.

Class V3:  String Crossings with Rebecca Henry
March 1, 2025

We will explore the sequencing of gross motor and fine motor skills in developing string crossings from the beginning to advanced levels.

Registration Details

Peabody Conservatory Credit

Teachers and Conservatory students may enroll for one credit from the Peabody Conservatory by completing the following requirements:



  1. Attend any four sessions.

  2. Observe 3 hours of private or group lessons and turn in observation forms.

  3. Send a video of one hour of your own teaching and have a one hour discussion with feedback from Rebecca Henry.

  4. Write a paper in consultation with Rebecca Henry.


Registration No.: PY.530.513 section 01

Cost (1 credit): $1778


*University students pay $25 per Pedagogy master class.

Pedagogical questions about the series? Contact Rebecca Henry at [email protected].

Note: Please check the website or call the Preparatory Office one week prior to class to confirm the date.  For inquiries, please contact [email protected].